Buskers get into it, bit by bit

Jugglers, magicians, fire eaters just part of outdoor festival

Comedian and magician Nick Sharpe, also known as Dr. Street, finds a willing volunteer in Shanna Kane of Oceanside at the Spring Busker Festival Sunday at Seaport Village, which hosted the weekend of outdoor performances for the fourth year.
— Howard Lipin / UNION-TRIBUNE

Comedian and magician Nick Sharpe, also known as Dr. Street, finds a willing volunteer in Shanna Kane of Oceanside at the Spring Busker Festival Sunday at Seaport Village, which hosted the weekend of outdoor performances for the fourth year.
— Howard Lipin / UNION-TRIBUNE

Skip Banks wears a balloon the size of a Mini Cooper during his one-man act. Banks also dances with a chorus line of life-size dolls and imitates Willie Nelson. Buskers had one thing in common: passing the hat for pay, sometimes before crowds topping 200.— Howard Lipin

Skip Banks wears a balloon the size of a Mini Cooper during his one-man act. Banks also dances with a chorus line of life-size dolls and imitates Willie Nelson. Buskers had one thing in common: passing the hat for pay, sometimes before crowds topping 200.
— Howard Lipin

Jimmy Talksalot, a children’s comedian from El Cajon, says the festival is attracting people who are familiar with busker performances.— Howard Lipin

The fourth annual festival also featured magicians, musicians, acrobats, tumblers, jugglers and Skip Banks, who climbs into a balloon the size of a Mini Cooper, dances with a chorus line of life-size dolls, imitates Willie Nelson … .

“Bit after bit,” he said. “Nobody does anything like this.”

That’s the appeal of busking. No two shows are alike, although all the performers encourage audience interaction.

“This isn’t ‘American Idol,’ ” said Bobby Besmehn, wriggling out of two straitjackets while teetering on a unicycle. “I can see you!”

And if acts lack massive sets, casts or budgets, many boast tons of talent.

For decades, Seaport Village hired the occasional performer to stroll the bayfront grounds, entertaining shoppers. But in 2007, the center expanded on that notion.

“Since we are known for outdoor entertainment, we should really be known for outdoor entertainment,” said Megan Capizzi, Seaport Village’s marketing manager.

The inaugural festival drew few spectators, though, and many were confused about the busking concept.

“People would say, ‘Oh, you’re Buster,’ ” recalled Nick Sharpe, an Australian magician now based in Minneapolis. “I’d have to say, ‘No, that’s busker.’ ”

There’s less confusion these days, said Jimmy Talksalot, a children’s comedian who lives in El Cajon.

“Now there are a lot of people who know what we are doing,” Talksalot said. “Now, we have people who are coming here to see us on purpose.”

They turned out in droves all weekend, Capizzi said. She estimated 600 showed up for Saturday night’s “Buskers After Dark,” and even larger crowds for the family-friendly daytime performances,

“Our crowds have been awesome,” said Megan “Mango” Fontaine, half of the “Mango & Dango Show,” a knockabout blend of comedy, acrobatics, juggling and snake oil huckstering. “We’ve got a really theatrical show and it really helps to have such large, energetic crowds.”

Fontaine and partner Derrick “Dango” Gilday won loud applause, and then some. Passing the hat Saturday, the San Diego couple set personal financial records for a single show.

“I’d rather not say how much it was,” Fontaine said. “But, yes, it was the best hat ever.”

Seaport Village auditioned 60 acts, then selected the festival’s 10 headliners and three “roamers.” All passed the hat several times each day, sometimes to crowds of 200 or more. The headliners also competed for the People’s Choice title, whose winner received a $500 travel voucher.

That’s a useful prize, as buskers travel far and frequently. Sharpe, who estimates he spends seven months a year on the road, leaves soon for a festival in Macedonia. At the same, Mango & Dango will be performing at Huis ten Bosch, a theme park in Japan.

But even without foreign gigs or cash-stuffed hats, some are drawn to busking’s no-frills artistry.

“When you see it as a source of income, it’s no fun. But when you see it as a joy, and take it in stride, voilà!” said Mitchell Walker, a graphics artist who performs on the didgeridoo, the Australian wind instrument. “This is my joyful thing.”